TENANT INFORMATION BROCHURE [HOUSES] Horizon Housing
Horizon Housing Table of Contents Welcome... 4 Moving In... 5 Inspection Report... 5 Insurance... 5 Security Deposit... 6 Your New Home... 7 Rent Payment... 7 Housekeeping... 7 Maintenance... 8 Respecting Your Neighbours & Community... 8 Safety... 9 Safety & Security Tips... 9 Fire Safety Tips... 9 Fire Safety Procedures... 10 Fire Hazards... 11 Combustible Materials... 12 Smoke Alarm Notice... 13 Contact Information... 14 Emergency Number... 14
Welcome! Horizon Housing Society (HHS) would like to extend to you, our new tenant, a warm welcome and thank existing tenants for past patronage and cooperation. We regard the safety and security of tenants and staff as our number one priority. In this regard, it is very important that you familiarize yourself with the information presented in this booklet and in your lease agreement. We believe in the adage an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. To that end, we ask that you regard safety and security measures as your top tenancy priority. We welcome suggestions and comments about safety and security measures, as well as building operations in general. We encourage you to contact your Building Manager or to send an email to tenantrelations@horizonhousing.ab.ca with any comments, concerns and/or questions. It is our sincerest desire that your tenancy with us be a pleasant, healthy and safe experience. Thank you for your cooperation and best regards, Horizon Housing Society
Moving in Inspection report Within the first week of tenancy, the landlord will conduct an inspection of the premises with the tenant in attendance. Please be sure to note any deficiencies on the inspection report as it will be used as a reference for the move-out inspection at the end of the tenancy. Insurance Horizon Housing Society would like to stress the importance of tenants having contents and liability insurance. Any loss or damage caused by a tenant could result in a claim against the tenant s insurance. If the tenant does not have insurance, a claim could be made against them personally. Besides personal liability, tenant s insurance also provides protection for relocation expenses should your unit not be habitable for a period of time, as well as coverage for tenant-owned possessions. Tenant s insurance is very reasonable and well worth the cost. For an extra $15 per month added to your rent, HHS will coordinate with BFL Insurance on your behalf. Please see your Building Manager for more information.
Security deposit What is required in order to receive an undiminished refund of the security deposit on termination of tenancy? HHS requires 30 days notice (one full calendar month) to terminate a monthly tenancy. If you signed a Fixed Term Lease Agreement, you may terminate tenancy at the expiration of the Agreement. On termination of tenancy, the landlord will conduct an inspection of the premises with the tenant in attendance. If the tenant is unable to or decides not to participate in the aforementioned inspection, the landlord will complete the inspection and subsequent report as per the Residential Tenancies Act. On termination of tenancy, the premises should be presented in the same condition as accepted at the beginning of tenancy and as verified on the Accommodation Inspection report. Specifically, the tenant shall: Clean windows (inside and outside) Wash and clean walls; remove hooks, pins, etc. from walls Wash and clean all appliances thoroughly inside and outside Wash and clean cupboards inside and outside Carpet, tile flooring and window coverings are to be left in a clean condition Replace light bulbs as required. If you require assistance in moving appliances for cleaning, please see your Building Manger. If appliances are moved and damage occurs to the flooring, a repair charge may be levied. The refrigerator should be defrosted if necessary. If, after the move-out inspection, work is required to return the premises to an acceptable condition, deductions will be made against the security deposit as required. Cleaning will be charged at $25.00 per hour. Repairs will be charged at cost.
Your new home Rent payment Rent is due on or before the first of each month. Rent can be paid by cheque, money order, debit card or pre-authorized debit. Cash and credit card payments will not be accepted. Post-dated cheques are encouraged. Your Building Managers will collect your rent payment. Receipts are issued at head office and distributed by the Building Managers within 5 days of receipt of payment. Please note that the above procedure does not apply to tenants at Marguerite House, Roberts House, Hunter House or Hamilton House. Tenants at these houses should consult their CMHA worker for payment policies and procedures. Housekeeping Laundry Please use common sense when using the machines. Do not overload, clean dryer lint trap, etc. Garbage All garbage must be bagged, tied and removed from the house in a timely manner. Smoking There is no smoking allowed inside the house. You must smoke outside and ensure you dispose of cigarettes and matches in a proper and safe container.
Maintenance Once a year, the Building Manager will conduct an inspection of the house including bedroom and common areas. If there are any repairs or replacements to be completed as a result of the inspection, you will be given proper notice as to when the work will be done. Please inform your Building Manager immediately of any maintenance requirements in your house (leaking taps, water damage, appliance repair, etc.). You may do this by completing the Maintenance Request form, which is available on the HHS website at www.horizonhousing.ab.ca or from your Building Manager. Your Building Manager will then review the request and give you a time frame for completion. In the cold weather, windows and balcony doors must be kept closed. The pipes can freeze in a matter of minutes and the resulting damage can be extensive. Tenants will be held responsible for any damage resulting from an open window or door. You will always be given appropriate notice from HHS staff to enter the house, as per the Residential Tenancies Act. However, on occasion an emergency may demand immediate entry without notice. Respecting your neighbours and community All tenants are entitled to privacy, peace and quiet. Ensure that your behaviour and that of your guests does not disturb the other tenants. Please carefully review your lease agreement and the rules and regulations. This will inform you of what is expected during your tenancy. Please review the booklet entitled Information for Landlords and Tenants. This will give you valuable information on your rights and obligations as a tenant. HHS will not tolerate major or repeated breaches of the Lease Agreement or the Residential Tenancies Act. In these situations, HHS will pursue eviction and cost recovery if necessary.
Safety Safety and security tips Locks/keys Always ensure exit doors are closed behind you. The key to the house may not be duplicated. Do not have your name or address on your key chains. General Advise the Building Manager of extended absences from the house. Report any suspicious activity to the Building Manager. In case of an emergency (fire, crime, health), always call 911 first. Do not put Building Management staff in personal jeopardy. Report security concerns to building management. Fire safety tips Be fully acquainted with the fire protection installations that are provided for your safety. Know where the fire extinguishers are located, as well as the pull stations if present. Familiarize yourself with evacuation routes. It is very important to close all doors behind you to prevent the fire from spreading. Call the Calgary Fire Department at 911 if you need emergency assistance. Know the address of your house. Notify the Building Manager of any suspicious behaviors or fire hazards.
Fire safety procedures If a fire is discovered Leave the fire area. CLOSE ALL DOORS BEHIND YOU. Call the Calgary Fire Department (Dial 911) from a safe place. Do not return until the Fire Official has declared the situation safe. If a fire is suspected in the house If you are in a closed off area - before opening the door, feel the top of the door for heat. If it is not hot, brace yourself against the door and open it slightly. If you feel the air pressure or a hot draft, close the door quickly. If you find no fire or smoke in the hallway, CLOSE the door behind you and leave by the nearest exit. Call the Calgary Fire Department at 911 when you are in a safe location. If you encounter smoke in the hallway, consider using an alternative exit which may be clear, OR return to your room. If you cannot leave your room, or have to return to it because of heavy smoke or fire, remain in your room and close the door. Do not lock the door. Crouch low to the floor if smoke comes into the room. Move to a partially open window for air. (Close the window if smoke comes in.) Remain calm and wait to be rescued. 10
Fire hazards Occupants are advised that in order to prevent a serious fire hazard, the following should be understood and practiced: Burning material such as cigarettes, ashes and like material should not be put into the garbage cans but must be disposed of in a proper and safe container. Do not dispose of aerosol cans or flammable liquids in the garbage cans. Practice safe cooking measures. Do not overheat any cooking utensils. Constantly attend all deep-fat frying operations. Wear sensible clothes when cooking. Avoid clothing that includes loosely hanging sleeves and highly combustible fabrics. Do not use unsafe electrical appliances, frayed extension cords or overload circuitry. Be sure electrical appliances do not come in contact with combustible material such as drapes, furniture, etc. Electrical space heaters are not allowed in the house. Avoid careless smoking habits. Smoking is not allowed inside the house. Do not create fire hazards with excessive clutter or unsafe materials. Ensure Christmas lights are unplugged before leaving your house or retiring for the evening. Ensure your smoke alarm is always operational. (See page 13) Always check your house before leaving to ensure lights and electrical appliances are turned off. Propane tanks must NOT be stored indoors. A maximum of one 20 lb. propane tank may be stored outside. Charcoal barbeques are not allowed. 11
Combustible materials A high standard of good housekeeping methods and preventative maintenance of building facilities are the most important factors in the prevention of a disastrous fire. Combustible materials in buildings should not be allowed to accumulate to the point where the amounts constitute a fire hazard. Combustible materials shall not be used to absorb large flammable liquid spills within the house. Granular type absorbent material is preferred. In the event that combustible material was used to absorb flammable liquid spills, the materials, such as greasy or oily rags, are subject to spontaneous combustion and should be promptly removed from the premises. Lint traps in laundry equipment shall be cleaned regularly and frequently to prevent excessive accumulation of combustible lint. Store ashes in an appropriate and safe container. Do not put combustible material in the ash storage container. Do not use flammable liquids for cleaning purposes. Do not store combustible material in areas adjacent to the building. Never leave articles such as shoes, rubbers, mats, etc. in the hall and stairways. 12
Smoke alarm notice Please note that your house is equipped with a Smoke Alarm for your and other tenants protection. The Smoke Alarm was tested and deemed to be in good working order at the beginning of your tenancy. To maintain the smoke alarm in good working order and to provide you with peace of mind, we strongly recommend that you do the following: Press the test button periodically to check the internal buzzer or horn. Once a month, test the Smoke Alarm with smoke by lighting a candle and then blowing it out. Let the smoke from the extinguished candle waft into the Smoke Alarm. To stop the alarm, simply wave a newspaper or fan to clear the smoke away from the Smoke Alarm. Once a year, use a vacuum cleaner to clean dust and other debris from the Smoke Alarm. Annually, HHS staff will test the Smoke Alarm to ensure proper operation. In the interim, if you have reason to believe that the smoke alarm is not working properly, please notify the Building Manager immediately. TENANTS WHO INTENTIONALLY DISCONNECT SMOKE ALARMS COULD FACE EVICTION. 13
Contact information Should you have any questions regarding the contents of this brochure or any other building or tenancy issues, please contact your Building Manager. Emergency number [1.877.891.9060] Horizon Housing Society has an emergency number that may be used to report building emergencies after regular office hours. A building emergency may be a flood, no heat, etc. Please do not hesitate to use this number if an emergency occurs. HHS would like to emphasize that this number is for building-related emergencies and is not meant to replace 911. For all situations involving noise complaints, disruptive behaviour of tenants or guests, suspicious behaviour or strangers in the building, call 911. Do not call the building emergency number. Please remember that the building emergency number is for building-related emergencies ONLY. The emergency number should not be used during office hours or to report non-emergency related matters such as maintenance, complaints, etc. In these situations, please leave a message at the office number and the Building Manager will return your call as soon as possible. 14